Reshaping/modifing a composite stock...

[MOsqueeler]

Ok i am usually a reader and not much of a poster so this is actually my first. I have had a custom RM 700 LA built with a #17 Krieger 6.5 barrel. I used a long action RM 700 field barrel doner. The stock i have is an old rem composite stock field barrel, with no aluminum bedding. I like the stock and don't need nothing fancy for right now so i am going to reuse it. I plan to glass bed it, first time doing this, and don't want to screw up a high dollar stock. I am wanting to also widen the forend and give it some more "MEAT" in the front end. I am afraid i will be taking out to much material in the forend due to the size of the #17 as the stock is channeled for a field barrel. Has any one done this? Here is my ??'s

What materials would i use to build up the forend of the stock? I would like to fill out the front flat to accept bags. This is not a plastic stock.

Any advise would be great.

Chris

 

[Larryh128]

Usually, you will have enough material in the forearm to remove. Lay the barrel over it & see what will be left. You should have a 1/8" minimum on each side of the barrel remaining. If it's a little flimsy after removing some material (last thing you want is a forearm that can move enough to touch the barrel) you can epoxy a 1/4-5/16 piece of aluminum rod in the bottom of the barrel channel to stiffen the forearm. I have milled a channel in the bottom of a couple composite stock & it really does the job. Widening??? I would probably look at making an adapter that fits on the sling stud for bag shooting. There are commercial ones available as well.

 

[Preacher]

If you decide to widen the stock, think Bondo.......
Just rough up the stock and have right at it....

 

[okey]

I used CARBO-FILL on a B&C A2 and it is the stuff. According to my body man it will adhere better.

http://www.semproducts.com/Catalog.asp?prod=119

Okey

 

[aurelcornea]

Great stuff... Keep it sharing.

 

[MOsqueeler]

I ended up with Bondo with fiberglass in it. The stuff is green, mixes with the red hardner and turns grey. Its some hard stuff and it bonded well to the stock,i am in the process of filling the forarm, this is going to be a several coat application. I will end up with using the standard bondo to fill in some of the voids in it before i paint it. This could be awhile as i have other things above on the list besides this one. I am taking come photos however and will post them when i get it to paint stage. This could take a month or two.